Ordonez's appointment had been criticized due to her longtime role as a state contractor. But the resignation was triggered by her inclusion on the tax authority's newly published list of about 3,000 delinquent persons.

Ordonez told reporters that "owing (money to) the state is not a crime."

The president said he had been unaware of her tax issues.

Morales won office last year on promises to clean up government after a corruption probe forced President Otto Perez Molina to resign.